New VFR owner in Northern Calif.

HI all, Got this Red 2004 with 48k miles one 2/2. It rattled at idle. so replaced the cam chain tensioners in week 1. No draining of any fluids and no removal of the throttle body. Rattle gone so consider myself lucky. I am short so lowered it 1.5 inches and put on Helibars yesterday. I like the bike but had to adjust it to me. I am not worried about the handling degrading as I will not be pushing it hard on the twisties as this will be my comfort ride. I have a pristine 1988 Hawk GT if I want to go fast around corners and so far the VFR goes fast enough. So far I have only put about 300 miles on it at the temps have been in the high 50's. I know everyone has their own views about changes one makes to their ride and opinions are great to read but having owned over 30 bikes I must say each one needed something that makes it mine. Is the VFR for me, too early to tell, The Hawk GT is a keeper. Maybe I am still searching at 64 years old, Past rides: 89 Hawk GT, Yamaha SRX, Harley 1200C, Yamaha 750SX triple, Honda VLX, Harley 883R, Suzuki 650 Savage, Yamah RD400, Honda 450 twin, gap of 35 years of no bike, Honda 550F, BMW R60US, Kawasaki Hi 500 triple (yes I survived this bike), Honda 160 scrambler, Yamaha R5C, 1950 Harley with sidecar and 1941 Knucklehead my dad gave me at 14.

There is so much to read on these forums that have been here for many years. Very valuable when sorting out things that crop up. The Hawk I would consider old simple technology and the VFR very modern but complex. Lucky for most of us, the build quality means things last with few problems.

so hi again and thanks for the information gathered here. I have and will use it as I get to know my VFR better.

I am adding info on picture cct. It is how to tie back things so access to front CCT is enough to get it out as I indicated without draining fluids and removing throttle body.

 

Nice looking bike and welcome to the forum. I think this forum and others like it is what makes the internet a great thing.

 

In grass valley here. When things thaw out we should take a run up to Quincy...

 

Welcome aboard and nice looking bike. Enjoy.

 

Posted pic's withoot a beating on first post....... :cheer2: Welcome.

 

Welcome, Fellow newbie

Nice color choice. Red is fastest.....

 

thanks for the welcome, Taylor65. I was looking for a 98 or 99 but had no luck and this 2004 popped up. Like the pipes up top. If were gear driven cams like yours I wouldn't had to drop 200.00 more into it but it worked out ok,

Every problem that I get with my cars and bikes I go to the net and see who else has had the problem and sure enough, there is someone else and sometimes a cure. Like my air bag light came on my Sonata and a fix was unplugging a sensor under the seat, cleaning it and plugging it back in. Annoying and costly if taken to a dealer.

 

thanks Ricko2, I have only ridden up in your area a few times. Some of the roads between you and me are fun little rides. I was up to Bullards bar once in summer. A favorite here is Oroville to Bucks lake out of Oroville. Very twisty and smooth. A summer fun ride and there are many sport riders from Chico that do it frequently. Hw 70 in a nice ride too, and I have done the Oroville 70 to 89 Lake Almanuer to 32 to Chico and back to Oroville loop. About 3 or 4 hours.

I am open for a ride sometime with a few days warning. Little cool lately but anything above 60 is fine which is only late afternoons presently.

 

thanks for the welcome, fredsncoma. There is a local Honda shop closing it's doors March 1. For More than 10 years, they have been storing a 1983 interceptor V45 with 2800 miles on it for someone who they lost track of and only have a name. A beautiful bike but no way to buy it. Age never bothers me if I am going to buy an old bike but condition and care is everything. The thumbnail of your bike shows you care for it and you take care of it.

 

thanks for welcome TOE CUTTER, your info says you got a supercharger... wow. must be one hell of a rush when you twist the throttle. My cobra has one so I know what it feels like in a car but on a VFR ... crazy fast.

 

Welcome to the VFRW.

 

thanks for the welcome pdxvfr, Many years ago (like 1975) I did ride a Honda 550F as far as Medford, Eaglepoint and Butte Falls Oregon. Pretty country. Took my wife to crater lake once, what views.

 

thanks White_335. I see you joined only in December 2012 and you are pretty active here. cool. that helps those who aren't for sure.

 

Hey there and welcome to the forums, Bill. I used to get up to Oroville pretty often to play paintball with Team Lockdown.

This is the right place to be if you want to keep your VFR healthy.

Jose

 

Thanks for the welcome Jose, they still do paint ball just south of Oroville on weekends. I used to do it with my son before he went into the Army. I see you got one of the yellow fast bikes I keep hearing about on this forum...lol

 

Welcome man. I just joined this group in December too. Pretty good bunch here.

I have slabbed by your place a few times now on the I-5, Matter of fact, a chance meeting with a CHP caused me to shut down for the night in Willows a few years back. He was good though. Sounds like we may be seeking advise form you given your experience. Maybe next time down, I will detour either going or coming and catch you for a quick ride or a brew.

Ride safe.

 

:welcome: to the madness mate, glad to have you. Make yourself at home.